The word "organic" may appear on packages of meat, cartons of
milk or eggs, cheese and other single-ingredient foods. Certified
organic requires the rejection of synthetic agrochemicals, irradiation
and genetically engineered foods or ingredients. Literally, of
course, the term is a redundancy: all food is composed of organic
chemicals, complex chemicals containing carbon. Any materials
used in the production or processing of organic food must be proven
safe. Awareness is growing about the value of organic foods. But,
whether organic chicken or pesticide-free lettuce represents "healthier"
alternatives has long been a subject for debate.

Organically raised animals may not be given growth hormones to
or antibiotics for any reason. Non-organic milk comes from farms
that are allowed to use genetically modified cattle feed, along
with routine antibiotic treatments and synthetic pesticides. Arguments
have long raged as to the effects these hormones and chemicals
have on the bioproducts. Growth hormones in cows, pesticides on
produce and antibiotics in poultry are among the reasons many
Americans are turning to organic foods.